[Geriatric assessment]

The emerging procedures for geriatric assessments in various medical and therapeutical areas in Germany are still in an early phase. Tests for assessing elderly patients must be adopted mostly from the English literature; specific items and problem-orientated assessment contents have to be developed. This requires tremendous efforts and may require a long time because of its empirical and scientific complexities. This does not surprise because geriatric assessment is considered a basic geriatric instrument which has to take into account general and problem-oriented aspects of impairments, disabilities and handicaps. In addition, large cohorts are required to test validity and reliability of these procedures as well as efficiency and benefit of therapeutic interventions related to the assessment processes. In addition, rules of informed consent as well as legal requirements must be observed. Regarding results of assessment procedures, it is not sufficient to express them in a mere figure. Instead, it is necessary to make individual test results visible in a feasible visual presentation. The geriatric assessment serves as a major instrument to improve quality of life of geriatric patients, to support their autonomy and stimulate their social contacts.